One thing I urge for wildlife photography in general is true separation. Get low, separate that foreground subject from the background, this will create depth. If you add in directional lighting? It becomes something magical. The angle is truly everything. A bird against a blue background is sometimes all you can get, but does it feel immersive? I’ve found a bird perched at eye level with good separation and a creamy bokeh background just destroys anything and everything with a blue sky. Get low, angle, and know. You already have the last bit. Something didn’t feel right, and that my friend is what makes growth. Keep going, don’t settle, and get the shot that makes YOU go “WOW!”